Trump Thread

[a completely inoffensive name]

Democrats lose another special election.

At this point, just let them have a super majority and burn down the welfare state. If you can't find fault in a candidate unafraid to say that you don't deserve a living wage...then I say we give them what they want. Poverty and wage slavery

[Strike For The South]

Democrats need to learn how to downplay how much outside money and influence pour into these elections. Republicans have practically made that an art form. Hell, they managed to convince everyone George Bush was a cowboy.

I don't think it is a total loss. The election before the run off way overly inflated expectations. I mean, you can tell people how badly the R vote split but all some see is 11 points to 51%. The Georiga 6th is a massively red district and Ossoff made up something like 19 points. Granted, that includes the fact he had a massive war chest. However I feel like that is more about the limitations of money than anything else.

[Hooahguy]

I live right next to the Georgia 6th. Handel is a moron, and considering how deep red the 6th is, Im not surprised at all that she won. But attack ads work and considering the radio ads and flyers here (even in other districts) were a constant thing for both sides. Some of Handel's were pretty bad, like insinuating terror connections with Ossoff. But like in 2016, Republicans go to the polls, and thats why she won. Read about some Berniebros who were celebrating Ossoff's loss since he wasnt left wing enough. Thats why Democrats lose.

Funny thing is, that seat is up for election in 2018. More of a morale victory than anything else since she will have to defend the seat again soon anyways. Assuming the Democrats put someone forward. Lesson is, bring someone forward who is squeaky clean, lessen the outside money, and someone who has lived in the 6th for most of their lives. That seemed to be the biggest hitting points for the GOP in this race.

[Strike For The South]

Democrats need to let go of purity tests.

[drone]

Democrats need to let go of purity tests.

They also need to get rid of Pelosi. She has led the House Dems incompetently for almost 15 years, and is an easy talking point against Democratic congressional candidates. "Vote for me, or Pelosi will be in charge again!"

Parnell did pretty well in the South Carolina 5th election, lost by ~3 points. Not bad overall, considering how red both districts were.

[Hooahguy]

The entire Democratic party needs to take a step back and re-evaluate whats going wrong. For one thing, the loss of the blue-dog Dems led to the GOP taking over most of the state legislatures. And then the Berniecrats came along and brought the purity tests to a new level. You can't run a Bernie-level progressive in red districts and expect to win much. Campaigning on raising the minimum wage will not have any impact on the wealthy voters who make up a large chunk of the 6th. Also, just campaigning on "fight Trump" doesnt seem to be working, just like "vote against Trump" didnt work last November.

And while I do think Pelosi needs to step back, they dont need to get rid of her. Because if its not Pelosi they will find someone else as their scarecrow. I mean I saw flyers out here which tried to scare voters away from Ossoff because of John Lewis, and hes a hero of the Civil Rights era.

[HopAlongBunny]

The draft of the Senate bill to replace the ACA has been released.
It is everything you would expect:
-attempts to effectively defund Planned Parenthood
-reduces and then eliminates the Medicaid expansion
-premium support seems to be coming in the form of credits which are less generous
-includes a waiver which allows states to offer plans that do not cover essential services (as enumerated in the ACA); allows them to offer cheaper plans with high deductibles
and much more; it is everything the GOP promised, including a rather beautiful tax reduction for the wealthy.

http://www.businessinsider.com/senat...details-2017-6

It is a draft, so it can change before going to a vote. McConnell wishes for a short time frame for debate/amendment/passage so changes could be limited.
It has been attacked for not going far enough (hawks think it does not go far enough) and going to far (moderates in GOP feel it is cruel)
It will be a balancing act to ensure the votes needed to get passage, and that's only if they can keep the bill under the no filibuster reconciliation method; the defunding of Planned Parenthood may have to be separated.

If you or someone you know is receiving assistance in battling substance abuse, it was nice while it lasted

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/...e-devastating/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ion-americans/